U.S. Forces Fire on Iranian Vessel That Approached Aircraft Carrier

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated further this week after an Iranian vessel sailed dangerously close to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier operating in the Arabian Sea, prompting American forces to open fire.

According to U.S. officials, a Navy warship first attempted to engage the approaching vessel using its Mark-45 deck gun — the standard five-inch cannon mounted on American destroyers and cruisers — but missed the target multiple times. A helicopter was then launched from the carrier strike group and struck the Iranian vessel with two Hellfire missiles. The condition of the ship and its crew has not been confirmed.

The incident is part of a broader pattern of confrontations since the U.S. began military operations against Iran. The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the region in late January as part of a significant naval buildup ordered by President Trump. Since the conflict began, American forces have reportedly struck or damaged more than 90 Iranian vessels.

Earlier in February, a separate incident occurred when an Iranian drone aggressively approached the same carrier before being shot down by a U.S. Navy fighter jet. Iran has repeatedly claimed to have struck American carriers — assertions U.S. officials have flatly denied.